DE10060976B4 - Device for leak detection and leak detection - Google Patents

Abstract

contraption for leak detection and leak detection with a permeable manifold (1), with a pump (2) for a transport medium and at least one sensor (4) for a connected to a leaking material, the pump (2) as a pressure pump in the flow direction connected to the beginning of the manifold (1), and with a Evaluation unit (3) at the end of the manifold (1), wherein the manifold a plurality of (1) spaced-apart sensors (4) for the exiting Associated with the substance, and all sensors (4) are connected via an electrical supply and measuring line (6) are connected to the evaluation unit (3), wherein the manifold (1) as waymarks at known locations and spaced sources are associated with a detectable gas, characterized in that sensors for the gas are applied to the sensors (4) for the spatially escaping substance are assigned, wherein the detectable gas is not one at a Leakage escaping substance corresponds, and the sensors (4) for the exiting material do not recognize the gas.

Description

The The invention relates to a device for leak detection and leak detection with a permeable manifold connected to a pump for a transport medium and at least one sensor for leakage Fabric is connected.

Such a device is from the DE 24 31 907 C3 known. It forms the leak detection and location system (LEOS), which is used, for example, on a pipeline. If a substance escapes from a leak in a pipeline, this substance passes by diffusion into the manifold and is later brought together with a transport medium by means of the pump through the manifold to a sensor and detected there. From the transport time and the known flow rate of the leak location is then determined.

The known device works with a suction pump. As the achievable Negative pressure is limited, the system can only over a distance of maximum 15 km are used. On long gas or oil lines must therefore several systems are arranged one behind the other.

At a pipeline over size Distances (about 800 km) under water are elaborate Stations for Pump and sensor only possible at the beginning or at the end of the manifold.

To increase the location accuracy in the leak location suggests the DE 24 31 907 the use of waymarks before. As a way mark a small volume of a substance is introduced into the line, for which the sensor is also sensitive and which is also detected when moving past the sensor.

In DE 196 17 359 there is provided a device for leak detection and localization. There, the precise localization of leaks by the division of the line into sections and a sensor per section is accomplished by each hose section, a sensor and each sensor is directly associated with a signal processing device.

Of the Invention is therefore based on the object, a device for Indicate leakage detection and leakage location, requiring only one system is to have a watch a very long pipeline, with the pipeline up can be up to 500 km long.

The Task is according to the invention as follows solved: The pump is as a pressure pump in the flow direction with the beginning connected to the manifold. The manifold are several of each other spaced sensors for assigned to the exiting substance and all sensors are over one electrical supply and measuring cable with an evaluation unit connected at the end of the manifold. The manifold are as Wegmarken at known locations and spaced sources of a detectable Associated with gas. The detectable gas does not correspond to one at a leaking substance. The sensors for the exiting substance are Sensors for the detectable gas spatially assigned. The sensors for the escaping substance does not register the gas.

With the use of a pressure pump has the advantage that a Transport medium over the said very big Distance reliable can be transported without requiring additional pumps would. In the manifold so high pressure can be built up that even after 500 km another flow is available. Because the manifold has multiple sensors are assigned, the advantage is achieved that the diffused Fabric is detected faster than it is during a very long transport possible until the end of the manifold would. Furthermore could after a very long transport of the substance this over a longer Tube route as distributed during penetration and thus the detection be difficult. The individual sensors only need one electric Supply and measurement line to the measured values to a central Send evaluation unit at the end of the bus. There can then each section between the pump and the first sensor, between two adjacent sensors or between the last sensor the manifold and an additional Sensor in the evaluation be considered separately.

Of the Distance of the sensors can be between 10 km and 50 km, while the Length of total collection between 400 km and 800 km.

It is possible, too, Combination sensors for to use the substance and the gas.

With the device, the advantage is achieved that the flow velocity of the transport medium need not be known in the manifold. It is sufficient that the exact locations are known, at which the detectable gas enters the manifold. In a sensor then serve the incoming maxima of the detectable gas as way marks that are assigned to a specific location on the manifold. Occurs, for example, a maximum of a substance between the second and the third maximum of the gas, it is clear that the substance between the second and the third source of detectable gas has entered the manifold. Since the locations of these sources are accurately documented and, moreover, it is possible to deduce the distance of the substance maximum from the adjacent gas maximum to the distance of the leakage location from the corresponding source location, a reliable leak location is provided.

For example the landmarks are sacrificial anodes that are sources of hydrogen. Such Sacrificial anodes are at a pipeline at precisely known locations attached to prevent corrosion of the pipeline. The sacrificial anodes are usually made of aluminum and have negative zones where Hydrogen is produced, which then becomes known as detectable gas Places get into the manifold.

For example are the landmarks metal body, which consist of a nobler metal than the sacrificial anodes and with these are electrically connected. This will be the special advantage always enough Hydrogen is generated.

Of the Metal body, acting as a cathode is distinct from the sacrificial anode, e.g. by plastic, electrically isolated and with an electrical line to the sacrificial anode connected.

The Generation of hydrogen is at a sacrificial anode, or at one metal body connected to the sacrificial anode underwater laid manifold reliable possible.

Around Make sure the sensors are out of the leak Substance not to be disturbed by hydrogen are the sensors for the exiting material, for example, catalysts for the conversion of Hydrogen preceded in undetectable water vapor. to Detection of the hydrogen itself then own sensors are available.

With the device according to the invention has the advantage that the leak detection and location system known as such (LEOS) also over very big Distances, e.g. up to 500 km, and also on an underwater pipeline can be used.

The Leak detection and leak detection device according to the invention becomes closer with the drawing explains:

The drawing shows an approximately 500 km long manifold 1 for the leak detection and location system known as such, that of a pump 2 , which works as a pressure pump, goes out and to an evaluation unit 3 ends in which a last sensor 4 located. The other sensors 4 are spaced from the manifold 1 assigned. If from a neighboring pipeline 5 If a substance escapes from a leak, it passes to the neighboring manifold 1 , diffuses into this manifold 1 and becomes the next sensor in a subsequent pumping operation 4 transported and registered there. The sensors 4 are all via an electrical supply and measuring line 6 with the evaluation unit 3 connected, where then the leak location is determined.

So that the flow velocity in the very long collecting line is not required for calculating the leak location, waymarks are arranged at known locations. These consist for example of the known sacrificial anodes 7 on a submerged pipeline 5 , Hydrogen is produced at these sacrificial anodes, as well as from the pipeline to be detected 5 leaked substance in the manifold 1 got in and with the sensor 4 or your own the sensor 4 associated hydrogen sensor, which is located in the same place, is detected. Because the places of the hydrogen sources, namely the places of the sacrificial anodes 7 are known, can be closed from the position of a maximum for a leaked from a leak substance between two hydrogen maxima on the leak location, without the flow velocity in the manifold 1 must be known.

To improve the waymarks, or sources of hydrogen, are metal body 8th provided, made of a nobler metal than the sacrificial anodes 7 consist of these are electrically isolated by a plastic and via an electrical line with the sacrificial anodes 7 are connected. At these metal bodies 8th becomes significantly more hydrogen than at the sacrificial anodes 7 self generated.

So that the sensors 4 for the leaving material are not disturbed by the hydrogen, which is then measured with other sensors, are upstream catalysts 9 provided that convert the hydrogen into non-interfering water vapor.

There is also the advantage that leak locations on a very long inaccessible pipeline 5 can be reliably determined.

Claims (4)

Device for leak detection and leak detection with a permeable collecting line ( 1 ) with a pump ( 2 ) for a transport medium and with at least one sensor ( 4 ) for one at egg leakage leakage material is connected, the pump ( 2 ) as a pressure pump in the flow direction with the beginning of the manifold ( 1 ) and with an evaluation unit ( 3 ) at the end of the collecting line ( 1 ), whereby the manifold has several ( 1 ) spaced apart sensors ( 4 ) are assigned to the exiting substance, and all sensors ( 4 ) via an electrical supply and measuring line ( 6 ) with the evaluation unit ( 3 ), the manifold ( 1 ) are assigned as waymarks at known locations and spaced sources of a detectable gas, characterized in that sensors for the gas sensors ( 4 ) are spatially associated with the exiting substance, wherein the detectable gas does not correspond to a substance exiting at a leak, and the sensors ( 4 ) do not recognize the gas for the exiting substance. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the path marks sacrificial anodes ( 7 ) that are sources of hydrogen. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the way marks metal body ( 8th ) made of a nobler metal than the sacrificial anodes ( 7 ) exist and are electrically connected to these. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the gas is hydrogen and that the sensors ( 4 ) for the leaving substance catalysts ( 9 ) are preceded by the conversion of hydrogen into undetectable water vapor.